Venting

So had an appointment with a new PM doctor, yesterday...he was so focused on all the autoimmune
diseases I have, I do have back and knee problems that are not autoimmune, so why do they
always focus on those and lose track of me...he said he didn't know why I was seeing him
and that my Rheumy doc could and should handle my pain medicines...geezee, what a
major disappointment, I cried last night, so angry...I guess that they just
don't know what to do with me...I just wanted to focus on my back and knee issues
and he was just so focused on the autoimmune....and he wants me to go thru allergy
testing on all lidocaine medicines...that I should get done, as everytime they use
a "caine" product on my back it burns me so bad it feels worse than gettin branded
with 6 red hot branding irons, yet I can tolerate novacaine for dental....Maybe I just scare doctors...
Just needed to vent, so sick and tired of it all ...sick and tired of it all...as if I asked for
any of this....really who would want to be me and the *** I take from everywhere....
if this wasn't a family site a cuss word would've been in this, probably many...

Sorry to hear about your non-productive appointment. For one thing, alot of rheumatologist won't prescribed narcotics. I know my rheumy will only treat the auto-immune but he won't touch my back or prescribe meds for it so I have to go to pm for that. Crazy isn't it. Sounds like you need to have your rheumy write a letter to your pain doctor or start looking for a new one.

Hope you had a good cry. Sometimes it feels good to get it all out.

Chart

I really can empathize with you! I am sorry this happened! I know exactly how you feel! It is maddening, and it gives you a helpless feeling, you go to a doctor for help and then they do not even address the problem you went to seek help for! A number of years ago my daughter convinced me to go up to Mayo Clinic to have them check me out, because of my symptoms I have been having. My PCP thought it was a good idea and wrote a referral, and requesting certain test be performed, that they could not do here locally. I get up there and they review every thing I had ever been treated for, and all my current test results, and then proceeded to redo all the test that I already had done. Then they sent me to various clinics  and Doctors for the different conditions I have i.e. Ulcertive Colitis, Mitral Valve Prolapse and such. They were concerned about the pain meds I was on, ( at that time it was 20mg Oxycontin every 12 hours) and because they had a new cancellation to their  up coming drug rehab class the at the end of the week they wanted me to stay up there and go through it. I asked them if that would help my symtoms that I have and came up there for to be addressed, and they told me no! So I declined to stay up there and go through it! Well they got ruffled feathers about that, to say the least! Anyway the 10 days I was up there they never did address the symptoms I was having ( balance difficulities, swallowing difficulties, numbness and tingling in my limbs, and a host of other things that comes and goes, but usually always leaves me with a deficit, after it goes away!) I was upset and angry, and had a plethora of other symptoms that they never ever looked into! In short it was a complete waste of time, even my daughter was upset because I was not able to see the doctor she had talked to about my symptoms and want me to see!

Chart you are not alone, I am sure there are many, many, many of us here that can relate to your frustrations and dismay! I honestly do feel for you! It is such a unsettling feeling to go to a doctor or clinic with high hopes of finding answers and help, only to have them dashed, because they don't take the time or even care about you the person and your feelings, to listen to you and then address your concerns!

As trite as this might sound "Hang in there Chart, you are not alone!"

Merry Christmas ....White Beard

Chart,
I am sorry for the disappointing appointment. I can hear the frustration in your post. Everyone has been so positive, and I just want to tell you I am praying for you! I hope things improve for you soon.

Hugs,
Mindy

Oh Chart I'm so sorry about your terrible appointment. As you know, this is the best place to vent, as we all understand. (((((((hugs))))))) I hope you can get this straightened out really soon. Bless your heart. Take care. I hope you're able to enjoy the holidays.

love and hugs
Loretta

We need PM Doctor's as they do prescribe pain medicines, at least he said he'll do that....
but I needed someone as my pcp was unwilling to continue the pain medicines and
my rheumy is not prescribing me any pain meds and my muscle spasms are eating
away at me...I don't know any autoimmune diseases that would create muscle spasms...
will post later, Many many kind thanks, they are truly appreciated, my hubby has
Friday off, so we'll talk about this more then as to what I should do, I wish he
didn't have to see me hurt...hoping I'll get better rest tonight...

Hey Chart, sorry to hear your appt was a big waste of time. Is this the guy you have been waiting to see for a bit? Seems like you had been waiting to see one if I remember right. Did you even like the guy or not? The reasons I am asking is if its someone that you thin you may like, Jag's comment of having your PCP write him a letter stating why you were being referred may be helpful and a good idea. Sometimes I wonder where some of the drs come from. I hope you can get this all straightened out.

Take care.

We watched the kids ice skate, got a good handicapped parking space and took a lazy day
around this huge mall....didn't buy anything, except food and sat a lot- watching people hurry
around, some folks were friendly, some not so much...it lifted my spirits...and they had an
Aston Martini car in this mall, was wowed...and a line for the Louis Vuitton, that was crazy...
Even if I was rich I don't think I'd glamor such stuff...But I would get two more Lionel trains
if I was rich....and a trip to Hawaii......ain't it about enjoying life and not things...
Well wishes to everyone, with very low pain levels and Merry Christmas...I'll be back again after Christmas....

By chance are you taking B12 injections? Anemia was my constant friend until my dr put me on B12 injections. Oral B12 did nothing for me but the injections have kept it at bay. My insurance would not pay for me to go to the drs office for shots but pay for me to buy my B12 at the pharmacy, costs next to nothing, cheap even if you don't have a script card.

Keep your chin up Char, you will get the answers you need. Take care.

I am not usually on this forum but like to read (work is slow) and happened on this thread. I hope you don't mind my butting in...

I have b-12 deficiency and iron deficiency, I do not have pernicious anemia. You can have pernicious anemia due to your b-12 levels being low - one causes the other. But, you can also be iron deficient without your b-12 levels being low, or high for that matter.
So, basically, there are two deficiencies: pernicious anemia caused by low b-12 or anemia caused by an iron deficiency.

It all depends on how those tiny little cells look under the microscope. Anyway I offered this as a tidbit of info, hope it helps.

Oh Chart, strep throat can be so very painful - and you tend to feel so lousy with it too. Rest up and be kind to yourself, and I hope that you're feeling a lot better very soon *gentle hugs*

Laura

most auto-immune disorders or rheumatic fevers hurt as a former doctor of mine put it who is a rheumy and a internist but went into pain and arthritis mang. because he said his piers in rheum. where not living up to there obligations.

Gosh Chart, things have been rough for you eh. I sure hope 2012 is a better year for you and for all of us.

Hope you are getting some much needed rest and that your strep throat is on the mend. I assume you got some antibiotics for it.

How is the weather your way.

Have a nice day.

Suzane